Dial-A-Story is intended to help libraries reach as many families as possible, but we know it can be challenging to get the word out about the service.
2 Simple Tips to Increase Your Dial-A-Story Visibility
1. Include your Dial-A-Story phone number on your library website's phone/contact list. This is a super simple way to elevate and provide more visibility to your service. You can see here that Hopi Library has their Dial-A-Story number listed right alongside their main library phone number. As my son would say, "Easy peasy lemon squeezy."
2. Take advantage of the web widget feature that’s included with your LibraryCall service. The widget (available in both English and Spanish) allows you to share your story recordings online and include them with your other 24/7 eLibrary resources. Your stories can keep working for you even when your library is closed! Find instructions for adding the widget on the Library Call Manager Help page, or we can walk you through it. Please contact us via our Support Page: https://librarycall.com/support.
Peach Public Library (GA) embedded the English widget on their home page: https://peachpubliclibraries.org/
Yolo County Library (CA) created a separate Dial-A-Story webpage that is connected to their content for early learners: https://yolocountylibrary.org/learning/early-learners/dial-a-story/
Another successful conference
We had a great time connecting with library staff at the California Library Association (CLA) conference in Sacramento last week! It was fun to high-five some of you, welcome new customers to the mix, and get feedback about the challenges libraries are currently looking to solve. One thing we heard loud and clear in California: libraries want more Dial-A-Story language options. Is that true for you? Let us know what languages you'd like to see added.
Amanda Jacobs Foust and Madeline Walton-Hadlock
LibraryCall Principal Lori Ayre will be attending ALA in Washington D.C. later this month. We won’t have a booth this time, but Lori would love to say “hello” if you’re planning to attend the conference. Drop her a line: lori.ayre@galecia.com
New Summer Reading Story
Adventures in the Water by Lauren Kratz Prushko. Curtis and his Grandma Arlene are not confident swimmers, but they are determined to learn together. After taking swimming lessons at the public pool, they go on a special summer trip to the Florida Keys and snorkel with parrotfish. This 9-minute story is an especially excellent pick for those of you using the Oceans of Possibility Summer Reading theme.